Prostate cancer

Although most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms, physicians can find prostate cancer during a regular checkup. This is done using a combination of a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam.

With the early diagnosis of prostate cancer, there is usually a range of treatment options. These may include conservative management, radiation therapy with either external bream therapy or brachytherapy therapy, cryosurgery and/or prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate. Your treatment options will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, your age and health or personal preference.

Prostatectomy

The gold standard treatment option for men 70 years old and younger with early-stage, organ-confined prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy. This procedure removes the prostate and its surrounding tissues but spares the nerves.

The primary goal of prostatectomy is removal of the cancer. A secondary goal is to preserve urinary function and — when applicable — erectile function. Preservation of the nerves necessary for erections can be an extremely important goal for patients. These nerves run alongside the prostate and may be damaged when removing the prostate. A nerve-sparing prostatectomy attempts to preserve these nerves so that the patient may be able to return to their prior erectile function.

Prostate cancer surgery has evolved over time, and we now offer options with shorter recovery times and less pain. Types of prostatectomy we offer include:

• Traditional open surgery
• Conventional, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery
• Robot-assisted

Benefits of minimally invasive and robotic prostate surgery include:

• Significantly less pain
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster return to normal daily activities